The Tullis Russell Band is preparing to give the world premiere performance of 'De Profundis', written by John Wallace CBE.

Based on the 19th century plain chant hymn by Sir Henry Walford Davies, it will form part of the 2017 East Neuk Festival at Bowhouse Farm near Anstruther on Saturday 1st July.

Atmospheric

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "Getting ready for the performance has given us many challenges. To start we had to provide over 50 players, but such is the importance of the event we have got there with the help of a few friends from around Fife.

The players will be randomly placed in a massive potato barn which has been converted for the show with atmospheric lighting and haze machines. Trying to watch the MD will be a challenge, so the performance is also being directed by signals from percussion and light effects."

'De Profundis' features poems written by former miners as well as the sound of a Blackbird in full twilight song, with the sell-out audience asked to walk around the venue in-between players and members of the Wallace Collection as the work unfolds.

Once in a lifetime

The spokesperson added: "This really is a once in a lifetime type performance, and are really looking forward to it. The music is stunning and the band will start playing just as the doors to the venue are opened to allow the audience in to the darkened space.

The atmosphere is enhanced by other effects too — so the performance will be truly a one off."

Free dress rehearsal

The BBC Radio Scotland programme 'Classics Unwrapped' has already featured the work, and as the event is already sold out, the band is holding a special free showing during the final dress rehearsal on Thursday 29th June (8.00pm) at the Bowhouse Farm, St Monans, Anstruther KY10 2DB.